E.coli study wins Rosell Probiotic Challenge

Jean-François Daudelin received the first prize of the
Rosell Probiotic Challenge for his study concerning the effects of Bactocell®
and Levucell® SB administration on F4+ enterotoxigenic E. coli infection in
piglets post-weaning. The young scientist had the opportunity to give a
presentation of his study during the 5th International Symposium on Probiotics
''Cross Talk Now!” organised by INITIA in Quebec City, November
6-7th.

A Second Prize was awarded to Stéphanie-Anne Girard for her work on the
potential of probiotics on mechanisms involved in post-myocardial infarction
depression. Today, probiotics are gaining momentum in animal and human health
and nutrition, and this is linked to the strong and growing body of evidence of
their efficacy and modes of action.

Both winning entries of this year's
Rosell Probiotic Challenge were mechanistic studies in different fields of
applications. Rosell Probiotic Challenge is organised by Institut Rosell-
Lallemand, part of Lallemand's Human Health and Nutrition
Division.

Daudelin's project looked into the modes of action of
probiotics in preventing F4+ enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) infection in piglets
post-weaning. It appears that the administration from birth of P. acidilactici
(Bactocell) in combination with S. boulardii (Levucell SB) limits the attachment
of the pathogen to the gut mucosa, a key step of ETEC infectiveness.

Probiotics also stimulate the synthesis of compounds implicated in the
body's defence against the pathogen, Interleukin-6 and ß-defensin 2. Moreover,
the administration of Bactocell alone tends to reduce the clinical signs of
diarrhoea in piglets challenged with ETEC. It as concluded that the use of
Bactocell, either alone or in combination with Levucell SB, was a promising
alternative in the prevention of F4+ enterotoxigenic E. coli infection in
piglets.

Piglets diarrhoea post-weaning is an important financial burden
for pig farmers, with F4+ enterotoxigenic E. coli a major cause of infection.
Antibiotics are used as both a preventive and therapeutic measure. The massive
use of antibiotics in animal production has been implicated in the emergence of
antibiotic resistant pathogens, a growing public health concern. For this
reason, certain regulatory bodies such as the European Commission have banned
their continuous use in animal feed, and the search for natural alternatives is
an important strategy.

Open to university students in North and South
America, Rosell's Probiotic Challenge aims to encourage awareness and education
regarding probiotics, in the continuation of Institut Rosell founders'
commitment to pioneer and promote probiotic applications. Young researchers were
assessed by a scientific jury for the quality of their
works.